Gold rings without gemstones can be cleaned effectively with only water and soap Keep in mind that gold is a soft metal and scratches easily. 1. Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water, and add some mild dish soap to prepare a simple cleaning solution. 2. Soak your gold rings in the solution, and leave them in it for about 20-30 minutes. Use a soft brush or a soft cloth to clean dirt off the jewelry. 3. Rinse the soap residue off your gold rings with water. 4. Dry your jewelry with a clean towel. Since it might not be possible to wipe dry some hard-to-reach spots, leave the pieces to air dry completely before you put them on